Square bans payment for firearms sales

[ryan_j 0]

You know Square, right? That little thing you plug into your iPhone and use to accept credit card payments.

 

http://www.square.com

 

They've updated their user agreement.

 

Previously they used to ban only internet and telephone sales of firearms:

 

By creating a Square Account, you also confirm that you will not accept payments in connection with the following businesses or business activities:

...

 

(23) internet/mail order/telephone order firearm or weapon sales,

 

 

Now it reads:

(23) sales of (i) firearms, firearm parts or hardware, and ammunition;  or (ii) weapons and other devices designed to cause physical injury

 

Just great. Now they've banned all sales of firearms and weapons with the square reader. 

 

So I suggest if you have a square, it's time to look for an alternative. 

[Mark@3R1 0]

Just cancelled my account.

 

Here's the email I sent them:

 

To: Square
From: [email protected]
Subject: Your new account agreement

Hello, I see that you have amended your prohibited businesses to include firearm, ammunition and related accessories sales. If this is correct, please close my account immediately. Not only am I a Firearms retailer, but I am a proud American who supports the ENTIRE Constitution of the United States. If your company ENCOURAGES criminals to hurt, harm and kill people by limiting their ability to defend themselves, then I don't want to do business with you and I hereby fire you. Mark Steele

 

[tj462nj 32]

I've been using 'go payment', put out by intuit (quickbooks) swiper for my i phone,  been flawless

[wooly bugger 1]

And how is this enforceable?

[ryan_j 0]

And how is this enforceable?

 

The user agreement also authorizes them to ask for receipts from your suppliers and even inspect your premises. Or if someone rats you out they could refuse to settle your transaction and you're out the money. 

 

 

4. Verification and Inspection

If your request to open a Square Account is approved, Square may request additional information from you at any time. Square may ask you to present invoices from your suppliers, a government issued identification such as a passport or driver’s license, or a business license. Square may also ask for permission to inspect your business location. If you refuse any of these requests, your Square Account may be suspended or terminated.

[twentynine30s 1]

I too just emailed and canceled my account. I will also use my square card reader as a target on my next range trip

[10X 3,319]

Just cancelled my account.

 

Here's the email I sent them:

Nicely done!

[Howard 538]

Can they even legally do that?  Does that not run counter to their agreements with the credit card companies?  What about Federal credit laws.  Just imagine the outcry if they stated you could not use your card to pay for an abortion or a gay wedding

[ryan_j 0]

I've been using 'go payment', put out by intuit (quickbooks) swiper for my i phone,  been flawless

 

I was thinking of switching to that. The other option is PayPal but they too are anti gun. 

[djg0770 481]

I too just emailed and canceled my account. I will also use my square card reader as a target on my next range trip

 

Take pictures - post on internet...

[ryan_j 0]

I am going to do that too but may have to do it at home since CR may not like that. 

[mcbethr 42]

Iffy on this.  American Express does not allow its users to purchase online pornography with their card.  Does that mean that American Express doesn't support the First Amendment or does it mean that they just don't feel like dealing with the BS associated with chargebacks.

 

Maybe Square is just afraid of liability issues?  Need to investigate more, but if they are anti-gun just to be anti-gun, yes, use that reader as a target.

[Porthole 15]

Now it reads:

(23) sales of (i) firearms, firearm parts or hardware, and ammunition;  or (ii) weapons and other devices designed to cause physical injury

 

If everyone who used one went explicitly by this they would be out of business tomorrow.

[wooly bugger 1]

I was thinking of switching to that. The other option is PayPal but they too are anti gun. 

I've purchased plenty of gun stuff through Paypal. Is that against the rules?

[H.M. Murdock 0]

I've purchased plenty of gun stuff through Paypal. Is that against the rules?

 

Gun stuff or guns?

 

I think you meant to say that you've sent many gifts thru Paypal

[djg0770 481]

I've purchased plenty of gun stuff through Paypal. Is that against the rules?

 

According to their published policy, yes.

[ryan_j 0]

Iffy on this.  American Express does not allow its users to purchase online pornography with their card.  Does that mean that American Express doesn't support the First Amendment or does it mean that they just don't feel like dealing with the BS associated with chargebacks.

 

Maybe Square is just afraid of liability issues?  Need to investigate more, but if they are anti-gun just to be anti-gun, yes, use that reader as a target.

 

I think Square thinks it's "cool" to "take a stand against the NRA." 

[tony357 386]

I've been using 'go payment', put out by intuit (quickbooks) swiper for my i phone,  been flawless

tony what are the charges associated with this?

[Maksim 1,504]

Can they even legally do that?  Does that not run counter to their agreements with the credit card companies?  What about Federal credit laws.  Just imagine the outcry if they stated you could not use your card to pay for an abortion or a gay wedding

 

They can do anything they want.... they are a private processor.  I am sure some of this is liability.  I  going to cancel my Square card reader and accout, not that I used it much anyway.  

[cigarsnscotch 0]

I don't know for a fact, but I am going to say square is a Silicon Valley company and just like every other company there in California they are all liberal dopes. It's a shame they took this position but they can update their TOS at any time. F 'em! I don't use it but I certainly never will now.

[1LtCAP 4,264]

last i heard they were charging 2.75% per transaction. $%^ that......i'd risk a check before i'd pay those schmucks that much to be allowed to take credit cards.......i pay well under 2% at the shop. even that annoys me, and i've been encouraging my customers to use cash or check.

[Maksim 1,504]

2.75 percent with no other fees or contracts is quite reasonable. No per transaction charges etc.

[tony357 386]

2.75 percent with no other fees or contracts is quite reasonable. No per transaction charges etc.

reason i use it besides being mobile...if you saw the fees i was paying merchant services you would leave a pile right here... after 4 times cancelling and reastablishing and the fees going through the roof i was hoping this one would stay with the  initial fee's.. 

[1LtCAP 4,264]

2.75 percent with no other fees or contracts is quite reasonable. No per transaction charges etc.

my rate(which is well under 2%) is including those.

[Maksim 1,504]

What is your volume?

 

With most that is what they look for. I uad a merchant account offer low 1 percent but needed mor3 volum3.

 

For someone who does low volume, wants mobile and no other fees.... square, intuit and paypal are perfect.

 

Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2

 

 

[ryan_j 0]

Square is aimed more at low volume merchants who don't want to pay a monthly fee. So the per swipe fee is high, but it's cheaper than paying monthly plus per swipe if you're a low volume seller. Some processors also charge a flat fee plus the percentage. More if you key it in. 

 

The big thing though is that it's mobile. The food trucks and livery cabs in NYC are using it now. Better than taking cash too because cabs are sometimes robbed in gun free NYC. 

 

It's a game changer just like stamps.com and endicia did for mailing. I used to mail out stuff like invoices and going to the post office was a hassle, renting a meter was expensive and cumbersome, so the $5 per month that stamps.com charged was a bargain. 

[njpilot 671]

Iffy on this.  American Express does not allow its users to purchase online pornography with their card.  Does that mean that American Express doesn't support the First Amendment or does it mean that they just don't feel like dealing with the BS associated with chargebacks.

 

Maybe Square is just afraid of liability issues?  Need to investigate more, but if they are anti-gun just to be anti-gun, yes, use that reader as a target.

Anti-gun:

 

http://patriotoutdoornews.com/6446/the-truth-about-squares-decision-to-ban-firearms-ammo-sales

[tony357 386]

By creating a Square Account, you also confirm that you will not accept payments in connection with the following businesses or business activities: (1) any illegal activity or goods, (2) buyers or membership clubs, including dues associated with such clubs, (3) credit counseling or credit repair agencies, (4) credit protection or identity theft protection services, (5) direct marketing or subscription offers or services, (6) infomercial sales, (7) internet/mail order/telephone order pharmacies or pharmacy referral services (where fulfillment of medication is performed with an internet or telephone consultation, absent a physical visit with a physician including re-importation of pharmaceuticals from foreign countries), (8) unauthorized multi-level marketing businesses, (9) inbound or outbound telemarketers, (10) prepaid phone cards or phone services, (11) rebate based businesses, (12) up-sell merchants, (13) bill payment services, (14) betting, including lottery tickets, casino gaming chips, off-track betting, and wagers at races, (15) manual or automated cash disbursements, (16) prepaid cards, checks, or other financial merchandise or services, (17) sales of money-orders or foreign currency, (18) wire transfer money orders, (19) high-risk products and services, including telemarketing sales, (20) service station merchants, (21) automated fuel dispensers, (22) adult entertainment oriented products or services (in any medium, including internet, telephone, or printed material), (23) sales of (i) firearms, firearm parts or hardware, and ammunition; or (ii) weapons and other devices designed to cause physical injury (24) internet/mail order/telephone order cigarette or tobacco sales, (25) drug paraphernalia, (26) occult materials, (27) hate or harmful products, (28) escort services, (29) bankruptcy attorneys or collection agencies engaged in the collection of debt.

[ogfarmer 138]

here is a NRA approved credit card swiper http://www.gopai.com/shooting/